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Summary

One of 108 images in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Captain Edward Albert McKenna. The album contains photographs of the 7th Battalion in Egypt.

Image of the 'Sweet Water Canal' at Ismalia. The Sweet Water Canal was constructed in 1861-3 to provide freshwater to Ismalia. The Sweet Water Canal is now known as the 'Ismalia Canal.'

The album relates to the service of Captain Edward Albert McKenna. McKenna, born in Castlemaine, Victoria, was a 36-year-old department manager of soft goods when he enlisted on 17 August 1914. He lived at 5 St James Buildings, William Street, Melbourne, and had been married to Elizabeth ('Lillie') Mary McKenna since 1910. He embarked from Melbourne 19 October 1914 on the HMAT Hororata, and served in the 7th Battalion Australian Infantry.

He was killed in action in Gallipoli around 25-30 April 1915, aged 37. His kit bag was unusually full, even containing seven shirts, a pillow, six towels, a travelling rug, gumboots, and pyjamas and slippers. Also amongst his possessions was a camera, although no photographic prints or albums.

He was buried at 7 Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli. His details appear on the honours roll on the web page of the Australian War Memorial.

Description of Content

The photograph shows two Australian soldiers on camels crossing a small bridge over the Sweet Water Canal.
Another soldier stands, leaning on the bridge, in front of the camels and their riders.
Chains connecting the base of the bridge to a metal structure suspended above the bridge indicate it was able to be lifted for boats to pass through the canal.
There is a lot of vegetation in the background, bordering the edge of the canal.